Returning gifts without receipts. UGGH!

[Mickey527]

I tried to take back a few toys my grandson received as doubles. I asked the people where they bought them and they said "probably Target' .
Well Target is terrible for taking things back without a receipt. Their computer said they didn't carry the items when I knew they did. I wanted to even exchange most of the items for the same toy but a different style:ie he had two dinosaur TAG books and I wanted to get him a different book.
they wouldn't allow it because they said the items were not theirs.
Anyone have any idea where I can exchange a Tag book and a Transformer for the same items without all this trouble?
I don't want to drive around to every store that sells toys just to get these few items exchanged.

 

[KibbyCat]

Did you look at the barcode on the back? Sometimes even if Target carries an identical item, if the barcode is slightly different (or has another barcode sticker tag over top of it), their system won't recognize it. You may not know this, but Target.com runs independently of Target, so even items that came from the website sometimes are not sold in-store. The only way for you to do a return if it was purchased online is to do a look-up through target.com and print out the receipt.
On the other hand, check to see if the back of the item says where it may have originated. Often, items will be packaged specifically for a certain store (and will say something like, "Marketed for WalMart Stores, Inc. somewhere on the back near the barcode). You can also try Wal-mart and Kohl's, as they will sometimes take exchanges without a receipt.

 

[Sal]

Try Walmart.

I bought my grandson a Star Wars toy at WDW. Brought it home to save for Christmas. He got one in the meantime. The other one came from Target. I had a return to make at Walmart, so I took the toy with me. They scanned it and gave me store credit. A few days later I took back a computer mouse that had been sitting around the house for months (wrong style). They gave me cash even without a receipt.

In my experience, Walmart is awesome at returns.

 

[labdogs42]

Kohl's is great about returns without receipts, too. I know they sell TAG books and Transformers there, too. Try there next!

 

[richmond282]

It probably didn't show up in Target's system b/c those items were clearanced months ago (like July). I know the Dinosaur book was clearanced b/c I bought one.

Once the item is removed from the shelves (as Target does so many days after a final clearance) they delete that item from their system. Their computers can't look it up once it's been deleted.

I, too, would try Walmart. That's where I always go when I don't know where an item came from or don't have a receipt.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just hoping the "uggh" doesn't indicate that the OP is upset with Target - especially since the gift-givers claim they probably bought the items there, and even though the OP 'knows' Target carries the items. Any "uggh" or disgust should be aimed at either the givers not knowing for sure where the items were purchased, or the OP's own annoyance at having to do what she doesn't want - run 'all over the place' to exchange the items.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Any time I have gone to Target they will NOT take the item back w/o the receipt, even if they carry it. Same for K Mart. KMart REALLY bothers me though b/c the shirt's tag can have the KMart label right on it and they won't even scan it or anything, the will not accept ANYTHING without a receipt.

I have always found Kohls and WalMart and Boscovs (for toys as long as they sell them) to be good with exchanges/store credit w/o the receipt.

 

[msmayor]

As sophisticated as computers and printers are getting, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see all stores eventually require receipts PERIOD for any return.

Folks could 'create' their own tags for clothing and price stickers to return items. Stores could potentially end up refunding or giving store credit for items that never were in their stores to begin with a lot more often.

 

[meg8017]

I also suggest trying Walmart or Kohls. I have never had a problem returning without a receipt at either store! (although at Kohls, you never know how much you will get because their sales chage so often)

 

[momxx5]

Right after Christmas is when the stores are extremely strict and watchful about returns.

I've had luck at some KMarts. If Walmart carries it they will do an exchange but you are limited to 3 per year...not calendar year...3 within 12 months.

If its not too big of a rush I'd wait a few weeks.

Oldest DS has a January birthday and when he was younger often got duplicates. It was much easier doing exchanges then, because the holiday hoopla was over.

Worse case, you keep them to regift for birthday gifts and buy him a small something to replace them. Is he old enough to know the difference?

 

[3boymthr]

Did you look at the barcode on the back? Sometimes even if Target carries an identical item, if the barcode is slightly different (or has another barcode sticker tag over top of it), their system won't recognize it. You may not know this, but Target.com runs independently of Target, so even items that came from the website sometimes are not sold in-store. The only way for you to do a return if it was purchased online is to do a look-up through target.com and print out the receipt.
On the other hand, check to see if the back of the item says where it may have originated. Often, items will be packaged specifically for a certain store (and will say something like, "Marketed for WalMart Stores, Inc. somewhere on the back near the barcode). You can also try Wal-mart and Kohl's, as they will sometimes take exchanges without a receipt.

Totally agree with this. I bought a couple of games and movies for the kids that said a "Toys R Us Exclusive" or "Target exclusive" even though that item was available somewhere else. It's just that that particular game came with a different colored box or extra coupon code or some other crazy thing.

I also agree with the PP who noted that final clearance (75% or more off) items are not returnable at Target unless you have the receipt. They clear it from their system and you can't even buy it. I went to buy an easter item that was on clearance for 90% off well, officially the sale had ended that morning so I could no longer buy it because they had deleted the item from their system.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I had good luck at Walmart returning items without receipt. I had two toys to return that I *think* MIL bought at Walmart, but I don't know for sure. The greeter scanned them when I came in and put a sticker on it from his scanner that had the price on it, then I went to the registers they were using for returns and all she needed was my photo ID and I got a gift card for Walmart since I didn't have the receipt. It was very efficient and easy.

 

[marcyinPA]

Kohl's is great about returns without receipts, too. I know they sell TAG books and Transformers there, too. Try there next!

I have a friend who worked at Kohl's for Christmas....she said they take back anything and everything. They are known for saying that the answer is always YES!